Karasin: Russia is actively developing contacts with most Islamic countries

28 July 2021


Mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Islamic states proves the possibility of cooperation of civilizations without conflicts in the multipolar world. The statement was made on Wednesday by Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, speaking at the Young Diplomats Forum within the framework of the International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic World: KazanSummit 2021", which is held in Kazan on July 28-29.


"Russia is actively developing contacts with most of the states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), continuing a long tradition of cooperation. The fifteen-year period of close contacts between Russia and the Islamic countries has been full of important events for our country and the OIC member states," the senator said.


He recalled that last year marked the 15th anniversary of Russia's participation as an observer in the OIC. "Russia and Islamic countries have become closer on the basis of balanced approaches to a number of problems of the modern world order, confirming by the example of their interaction the possibility of conflict-free cooperation of civilizations in the conditions of forming a multipolar world," Karasin stressed.


The parliamentarian added that such issues of the global agenda as preservation of multiconfessionalism and multiculturalism in society, protection of traditional values, deepening of humanitarian cooperation, development of youth ties and exchanges, improvement of information flows and communication have become priorities in this period.


"For its part, the OIC appreciates its established ties with the Russian Federation as one of the most influential participants in international communication. Currently, Muslim states with which Russia has established and successfully develops mutually beneficial cooperation relations represent a unique civilizational community, which declares its interests in international politics, economy and humanitarian interaction," said the head of the Federation Council Committee.


Karasin noted that the OIC Young Diplomats Forum has become an excellent discussion platform based on the principles of "horizontal diplomacy." "Acting young employees of the foreign ministries of the OIC member states received a unique opportunity to communicate with well-known public and political figures, diplomats, representatives of the authorities. The aim of this platform within the summit is to develop close interpersonal contacts among young diplomats, international experts and representatives of the young generation of OIC countries, creation of atmosphere of common interests, mutual understanding and trust between the youth of our countries and mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term," he pointed out.


According to the senator, Tatarstan's example convincingly proves excellent opportunities of Russian regions in the sphere of international youth cooperation. "The experience of systematic cooperation with international youth organizations deserves attention, it would be useful to disseminate it in other Russian regions," the politician believes.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Federation Council

Based on materials from TASS